Article by
Barbados Today

Published on
September 27, 2018

“A triple delight.”

That is how Dario Bellamy-Audin describes himself but the public is more familiar with his alter ego Daba Divisual.

Daba Divisual is a singer, actor and producer known for hilarious skits with a serious message. During the May 24 election, he partnered with local comedian Seth Xcel to question if Barbadians wanted “five more years of sufferation”. He was also the voice actor behind the Pine Hill Diary Milk Every Day commercial, Republic Bank’s Just For You and Automotive Arts’ Maximo Batteries voice overs. He was cast in Payday, Next Payday and Once Upon A Time In Ichirouganaim.

His latest work is a multifaceted action, thriller and comedy entitled Too Lickrish which also features Seth Xcel. Quite tightlipped about the production, Daba told Bajan Vibes he played Seth’s nemesis in the local production written by Tolga and produced by the lead actor himself Seth Xcel.

The stage is basically Daba’s home. Having possessed an insatiable love for singing from his teenage years, he used social media to showcase his creativity and his talents. By bringing a hint of laughter to a serious issue, Daba’s character is relatable and interesting.

“I keep people up to date with what is going on, but at the same time, I keep people’s spirits up – I keep them laughing. So I would give them a message but in a way that is entertaining and they are at ease,” Daba commented.

“Social media has given artistes another platform and avenue to share their work, rather than having to try to get specific roles or sing at particular events where everybody is not afforded the same opportunity. With social media, everybody gets to tell their story so I think it just gives everybody a better opportunity,” he continued, acknowledging the role that social media has played in kick starting the careers of some Barbadian comics.

Though singing is his first love, acting came easy to this 35-year-old from an early age. He saw the stage as a production. Taking influences from the likes of Prince, Michael Jackson and Bounty Killa, he sought to emit an energy and dynamism that would be unrivalled.

“In order to convey the emotion or the message into a song you have to be able to act. Acting comes natural to me, I also try to be empathetic and put myself in people’s shoes in order to convey the topic or the emotion that goes along with the song,” he told Bajan Vibes.

“I see myself as a showman, I am always doing stunts on the stage and there is always an element of laughter in my performance, even when I don’t try to make people laugh. I like anything that involves energy,” he added.

Daba first stood on stage back in 2009 when his first competitive performance was in the Headliners Tent. With his lively personality and six feet, four inch frame, Daba overwhelms the stage. He has no inhibitions but his voice pleasantly surprises you from the first note. He has written and produced singles such as the Christmas tune Snowflake, Step In The Fete, Stress, Bang Bang and Ipad – no genre is off limits for Daba.

“When I am on stage, I just get to let loose and express things that I would not be able to express as Dario, so Daba allows me to be bold and to connect with people the way I would like to connect with them,” he noted.

Daba will make his mark in next year’s carnival with a power soca and bashment soca single, as he has already commenced writing and producing for Crop Over 2019.